Ex-UConn Coach John Chapman Dies

Published 8:00 pm, Wednesday, January 2, 2002

John Chapman, the first ice hockey coach at the University of Connecticut, has died. He was 76.

Chapman died Wednesday at his home in Venice, Fla., university officials said Thursday. He and his wife, Jean, also had a home in Wickford, R.I.

Chapman began his 28-year career at UConn as men's tennis coach in 1956. He helped launch the hockey program as a varsity intercollegiate sport in 1960 and coached the team until he retired in 1981. Chapman also served as assistant football coach.

A native of Marblehead, Mass., Chapman served two years in the Air Force and went to college at Dartmouth, where he played football, hockey and lacrosse.

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Memorial services are planned Saturday in Florida. A summer memorial service will be held in Rhode Island.